New figures released today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that a record 135,580 households are stuck in temporary accommodation like hostels, often for months and sometimes years, instead of a more permanent and stable home. 

The data shows:

• Overall, there were 135,580 households living in temporary accommodation in England on 31 March 2026 – the highest figure on record and an increase of 4% since the same time last year. 
• The number of children living in temporary accommodation also stood at a record high, at 177,530. This is an increase of 5% on the same time last year.  
• On average, over 900 households a day were found to be facing homelessness between January and March 2026.  
• Of the households whose cases ended during this time, only 48% secured accommodation. Of these households who secured accommodation, 54% went into social housing. In London, just 36% of households who secured accommodation did so via social housing. 
• Overall, the number of households living in B&B temporary accommodation was down 22% since the same time last year. 
• Households with children living in B&B temporary accommodation was also down 51% since the same time last year. 

The decrease in the use of B&B accommodation is a welcome step in the right direction - with this being one of the worst forms of temporary accommodation. But there must still be a push forward to significantly reduce the use of temporary accommodation across the country. 

These figures are released shortly after the Prime Minister committed to a major housebuilding programme, and an instruction to his government to end rough sleeping. 

In response to these new figures, Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: 

"Behind today’s figures are families and individuals whose lives are being put on hold while they're forced to spend months or even years trapped in temporary accommodation. Although government action has reduced the number of families in B&Bs - one of the worst types of temporary accommodation - homelessness overall has continued to rise, leaving tens of thousands of children growing up in unsuitable conditions and restricting their life chances. 

"No child should have to spend their summer holidays confined to a single room, with no privacy or space to play. Childhood should be a time for making carefree happy memories, but for too many children those memories are instead shaped by anxiety and uncertainty. 

"For far too long we have relied heavily on costly sticking plaster solutions, with councils spending billions of pounds each year on temporary accommodation that only traps people in a cycle of insecurity. With sky-high rental costs and a chronic shortage of affordable homes, people across the country are being pushed to breaking point.  

"We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to embark on the biggest council and social house building programme since the post-war period - exactly what is needed to help tackle the root causes of homelessness. But we must also see the Westminster government prioritise secure, permanent homes over costly temporary fixes. To prevent homelessness rising further, the government must urgently unfreeze housing benefit so it reflects the true cost of private renting.  

“With the right action, we can finally see these figures fall and ensure everyone has access to the vital foundation that is a secure home." 

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

The quarterly statistics for statutory homelessness assessments and activities in England between 1 January and 31 March 2026 can be found here. These statistics also report on households in temporary accommodation under the statutory homelessness duty in England on 31st March 2026.